Veterans share stories with students

Students also shared their own reflections on Veterans Day

Vietnam veteran Mike Barbour speaks to students at Kennedy Junior High about the importance of serving their country. (Melissa Jenco, Tribune photo)

John Shaw still remembers being called a "baby-killer" after he returned home from serving in the Vietnam War.

Jan Barbour, the wife of Army veteran Mike Barbour, also recalls returning soldiers at the time being portrayed in the media as drug addicts, and Air Force veteran Jim Collins likewise said many returning military members did not want to wear their uniforms in public due to the unpopularity of the war.

Veterans on Monday shared their stories with students at Kennedy Junior High in Lisle and implored them not to let the veterans of their generation experience the same hostility at home.

"These kids are defending our country and what happened to us 30, 40 years ago, please do not allow it to happen to them," Collins said. "When you see a young man or woman come home from the service in uniform … be sure to just go up to them and thank them."

Kennedy students spent much of the morning doing just that with an all-school ceremony followed by a breakout session that gave eighth-graders a chance to interact more closely with the veterans. The eighth-grade students each wore a star bearing the name of veterans they wanted to honor.

"The great devotion of our veterans is worthy of the highest respect," teacher Dave Hollander told them. "The sacrifice of our veterans is indicative of the greatest courage. Our obligation is to never forget their role in our lives."

Ken Garhan was drafted into the Army during the Cold War, but said he made the most of the experience and the opportunities to travel the world.

"It was probably the best education I could have ever had," he said. "You can go to school, you can read books but nothing is like the experience of being in the military."

Mike Barbour talked to students about the importance of serving their country.

"You, as a citizen, whether you serve in the military or not, your obligation to ensure this country maintains its greatness is to be an informed citizen and to vote," he said.

Students also shared their own reflections on Veterans Day.

"Things we do every day and that we take advantage of such as speaking freely, going wherever we want and practicing our own religion can happen because of veterans," eighth-grader Jovana Roncevic said.

Eighth-grader Jacob Triplett said veterans should be looked at as heroes.

"I challenge everyone in this room next time you get sad about a first world problem think about a sacrifice a veteran has made to make your life better," he said. "Next time you get mad at someone for something they said, think about how a veteran fought for that freedom. Next time you're afraid to take a risk, think about the bravery all veterans show because we can draw personal strengths from their abilities."